attempt

1[countable,uncountable]an act of trying to do something, especially something difficult, often with no successI passed my driving test on the first attempt.attempt to do somethingTwo factories were closed in an attempt to cut costs.They made no attempt to escape.attempt at something/at doing somethingThe couple made an unsuccessful attempt at a compromise.

2[countable]attempt (on somebody/on somebody's life)an act of trying to kill someoneSomeone has made an attempt on the president's life.an assassination/murder attempt

3[countable]attempt (on something)an effort to do better than something, such as a very good performance in sportshis attempt on the world land speed recorda world-record attempt